Electric switch



Jan. 24, 1928. 1,557,040

W. SCHMID ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 11. 1927 \g' I Patented Jan. 24,1928.

WILLIAM SGHMIID, BBONSQNQMICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO HARRY A.

IBBONSON, MICHIGAN.

DOUGLAS, 01'' ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application tiled April 11, 1927. Serial No. 182,782

4 My invention relates to switching devices wherein reciprocable rodsare employed for effecting their operation.

The contacts or switch elements of such devices are mounted uponcarriers which'are usually inthe form of casings which enclose thecontacts or switch elements and through which casings the rods pass tobe operable from the exterior of the casings, the rods having switchcontrolling elements thereon, usually in the form of collars, wherebythe circuits are adjustable, the rods being normally 'sprin pressed inone direction to provide norma adjustments for the switches and beingoperable against the force of the springs to afl'ordalternativeadjustments for the switches. Switches of this type find wide employmentin automatically controlled stop lights upon the rear ends of automotivevehicles.

It is the object of my invention to provide a simplified assembly of theswitch enclosing casings or earners, the rods, and the springs upon therods. In carrying out. my invention, the switch controlling membercomprises a reciprocable rod, a switch controlling element upon and innormally fixed "relation to the rod, an abutment upon the, rod andspaced longitudinally of the rod apart iromsaid switch controllingelement, a bearing collar surrounding and in sliding relation to saidrod and interposed between said circuit controlling element and abutmentand engageable with the abutment, and

" a coiled spring surrounding the rod and located between said switchcontrolling element and bearing sleeve and serving to engage said sleeveand abutment. The carrier is employed for the switch, said bearingsleeve and carrier being formed to have holding engagement upon relativemovement, of the rod and carrier transversely of the rod. in thepreferred embodiment of the invention,.the switch carrier is in the formof a two-part casing whose parts have edge portions that meet in a planethat includes 1 the axis of the rod. There is desirably an additionalbearing sleeve, one sleeve being disposed at each end of the rod. andthese hearing sleeves have annular grooves in their cylindrical sides.The end walls of the two sections of the casings are provided withregistering arcuate recesses forming circular openings through the endsof the casing through which the rod passes, the edge portions of thesearcuate recesses being received in the grooves in the bearing sleeves.One end of the spring presses upon the first aforesaid bearing sleeveand the other end of the spring presses upon a second abut- I mentprovided upon the rod to normally maintain the first abutment inengagement With the first bearing sleeve. The second bearing sleeve isfree to slide on the rod whether the switch controlling member isassembled with the casing or not whereby the distance between thebearing sleeves is easily adjusted to enable these bearing sleeves to beengaged with the casing by the mere lateral movement of the sleeves, andthe rod carrying them, transversely of the rod.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanyingdrawing in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 2 is a side v ew; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectionalview; Fig. 41s a bottom view of the upper or cap section of the casingshowing the switch contact structure mounted therein; and Fig. 5 1s aperspective view illustrating one of the casing sections and the switchcontrolling member in separated relation, this figure indicating theease with. which the switch controlling member and thecasing may beassembled.

'lhe switch controlling member includesa reciprocable rod 1 madepreferably of iron or steel. Two abutments or sets of abutments 2 and 3are desirably integrally formed with the'rod and are spaced apartlongitudinally of the rod. A coiled spring 4 surrounds the rod and isdisposed between said abutments. A switch controlling collar 5, formedpreferably of insulation, is slipped upon one end of the rod, togetherwith a washer 6, before the abutments on this end of the rod are formed,said washer being interposed betweensaid collar and the abut Ill tion tothe rod, the abutments'3 being be-' tween the collar 5 and this secondbearing sleeve 8. Additional abutments 9 are provided near the end ofthe rod adjacent the sleeve 8 to prevent this sleeve from dropping awayfrom the rod when the switch controlling member is not assembled withthe balance of the structure.

The space between the abutments 3 and 9 is sufiicient to permit thebearing sleeve 8 to be moved toward and from the bearing sleeve 7whereby the two bearing sleeves may be readily spaced apart the exactdistance they are to occupy when they are held by the switch carrier orcasingthat will now be described. This switch carrier or casing is madein two sections, one a cap section 10 and the other a mounting section11, the two casing sections meeting upon a plane that contains the axisof the rod when the rod is assembled with the casing as will bedescribed. The end walls of the casing sections 10 and 11 are formedwith registering arcuate recesses 12 which define circular openings inthe end walls of the casing when the casing sections are assembled. Inthe process of assembling the casing sections, the bearing sleeves 7 and8 arerelatively adjusted as hitherto described to bring the annulargrooves 13 in the sides of the hearing sleeves into register with theend walls of one of the casing sections, say the casing section 10,whereafter the edge portions of the arcuate recesses 12 in. this casingsection 10 are engaged within the grooves 13 merely upon relativemovement o'l said casing section and rod transversely of the rod. Whenthe bearing sleeves 7 and 8 have thus been assembled with one section ofthe casing, the other section of the casing is similarly engaged withingrooves 13 whereaiter the two casing" sections are assembled in linedrelation.

A illustrated, the casing section 10 is formed with ears 1e that arepassed through openings formed in the wines 5i and 16 that project fromthe longitudinal margins of the casing; section 11. these cars being;thereafter turned into clinching engagement with said win s, asillustrated most clearly in Fifi. 2. end walls of the casing: now firmlyhold hearing sleeves 'l' and 8 in lined relation so that the rod 1 maybe pulled upon or moved against the fierce of the an no" 4i by means ofa tie member 1'2 which is suitably coupled with oralre or other travelcont-rolling" lever on the automotive vehicle. The collar to control aswitch. The switch sl: inclusire oi two contact springs 18 and 19 whichare suitably mounted upon and insulated from the section 10 of thecasing, the casing being preferably metallic. These contact springs areprovided with suitable binding posts 20 and 21 whereby the circuit wires22 and 23 that are included in the stop light circuit are connected withsaid springs. Assuming that the stop light is controlled by the brakelever, when the brake lever is applied, the rod 1 will be moved to theleft against the force of the spring 4, the collar 5 then pressing thespring 18 against the spring 19 to close the stop light circuit. Whenthe brake lever is released, spring 1 will restore the collar 5 to itsidle position, the resilience of the spring 18 then moving this springto an open circuit position. I hate herein disclosed one use to which myswitch may be put, it being obvious, however, that the switch of myinvention may be otherwise used.

Changes may he made without departing from the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a controlling member comprising :1 reciprocablerod carryine' two ahutments spaced apart longitir dinally oi the rod, acoiled spring surrounding the rod and disposed between said abutments, aswitch controlling collar surrounding the rod and interposed between oneoi the aliutments and one end of said spring which presses the collaagainst this abutment. a laterally grooved hearing sleeve surroundingand in sliding" relation to the rod and interposed between the otherabutment and the other end of said spring which adapted to effectengagement between this abutment and hearing;- sleere, and a secondlaterally grooved hearing electe surrruuuliug; and in sliding; relationto the rod. the abutment that is pressed upon h said collar beingbetween this collar and said second hearing sleeve; cl a circuitmutrollina switch engageahle and brought into circuit. changingadjustment by said collar accordinp o the position at said rod: and acarru said switch having; portions enterilu grooves in the sides oi saidbearingtzlee E2. The combination "with a controlling membercomprisinrecipromihle rod. a switch controlling ncnt upon and in u mallylisted relation Hi the roll. an abutment upon the rod and spaced l' ofthe rrd apart lroru said an ch roellrul r element. a laterally groovedhearing surround lltl relation w and in d hetwec and tilllllli rod and1r ltl 1 able roun d1 switch.

lltl

Q lltl abutment, and a second laterally grooved bearing sleevesurrounding and in sliding relation to the rod, said switch controllingelement being between the spring and this second bearing sleeve; of acircuit controlling switch engageable and brought into circuit changingadjustment by said switch controlling element according to thepositionof said rod; and a carrier for said switch having portionsentering the grooves in the sides of said bearing sleeves.

, 3. The combination with a controlling member comprising a reciprocablerod carrying two abutments spaced apart longitudinally of the rod, acoiled spring surrounding the rod and disposed between said abutments, aswitch controlling collar surrounding the rod and interposed between oneof the abutments and one end of said spring which presses the collaragainst this abutment, and a laterally grooved bearing sleevesurrounding and in sliding relation to the rod and interposed betweenthe other abutment and the other end of said spring which is adapted toefi'ect engagement between this abutment and bearing sleeve; of acircuit controlling switch engageable and brought into circuit changingadjustment by said collar according to the position ofsaid rod; and acarrier for said switch having a portion entering the groove in the sideof said bearing sleevej 4., The combination with a controlling membercomprising a reciprocable rod, a switch controlling element upon and innormally fixed relation to the rod, an abutment upon the rod and spacedlongitudinally of therod apart from said switch controlling element, alaterally grooved bearing sleeve surrounding and in sliding relation tosaid rod ahd interposed between said circuit controlling element andabutment and engageable with the abutment, and a coiled springsurrounding the rod and located between said switch controlling elementand bearing sleeve and serving to engage said sleeve and switchcontrolljng element; of a circuit controlling switch ,engageable andbrou ht into circuit changin'g adjustment by sea switchcontrollingelement according to the position of said rod; and acarrier for saidswitch having a portion entering the groove in the side of said bearingsleeve.

5. The combination with a controlling member comprising a reciprocablerod carrying two abutments spaced apart longitudinally of the rod, acoiled spring surround ing the rod and disposed between said abutments,a switch controlling collar surrounding the rod and interposed betweenone of the abutments and one end of said spring which presses the collaragainst this abutment, a bearing sleeve surrounding and in slidingrelationto' the rod and interposed between the other abutment and theother end of said spring which is adaptedto efiect engagement betweenthis abutment and hearing sleeve, and a second bearing sleevesurrounding and in sliding relation to the rod, the abutment that ispressed upon by said collar being between this collar and said secondbearing sleeve; of a circuit controlling switch engageable and broughtinto circuit changin adjustment by said collar according to the positionof said rod; and a carrier for said switch, said bearing sleeves andcarrier being formed to have holding engagement upon relative movementof the rod and carrier transversely of the rod.

6. The combination with a controlling member comprising a reciprocablerod, a switch controlling element upon and in normally fixed relation tothe rod, an abutment upon the rod and spaced longitudinally of the rodapart from said switch controlling element, a bearing sleeve surroundingand in sliding relation to said rod and interposed between said circuitcontrolling element and abutment and engageable with the abutment, acoiled spri 11g surrounding the rod and located between said switchcontrolling element and bearing sleeve and serving to engage said sleeveand abutment, and a second bearing sleeve surrounding and in slidingrelation to the rod, said switch controlling element being between thespring and this second bearing sleeve; of a circuit controlling switchengageable and brought into circuit changing adjustment by said switchcontrolling element according to the position of said rod; and -acarrier for said switch, said bearing sleeves and carrier being formedto have holding engagement upon relative movement of the rod and carriertransversely of the rod.

7 The combination with a controllingmember comprising a reciprocable rodcarrying two abutments spaced apart longitudinally of therod, a coiledspring surroundmg the rod and disposed between said abutments, a switchcontrolling collar surrounding the rod and interposed between one oftheabutments and one end of said spring which presses the collaragainstthis abut ment, and a bearing sleeve surrounding and in slidingrelationto the rod and interposed between the other abutment and theother end of said spring which is adapted to efl'ect engagement betweenthis abutment and bearing sleeve; of a circuit controlling switchengageable and brought into circuit changm adjustment by said collaraccordmg to t e position of said rod; and a carrier for said switch,said bearing sleeve and carrier being formed to have holdin engagementupon relative movement the rod and carrier'transversely of the rod.

8. The combination with a controlling member comprising a reciprocablerod, a i

mally fixed relation to the rod, an abutment upon the rod and spacedlongitudinall of the rod apart from said switch contro in element, abearing sleeve surrounding Ian in sliding relation to said rod andintery posed between said circuit controlling element and abutment andengageable with the abutment, and a coiled sprin surrounding the rod andlocated between said switch controlling element and bearing sleeve andserving to engage said sleeve and abutment; of

upon relative movement of the rod and car rier transversely of'the rod.

a coiled spring surroundin 9. The combination with a controlling membercom risin a reciprocable rod, 2. switch contro ing e ement upon the rod,and the rod and pressing said switch contro ing element at one springend in one direction;. of a circuit controlling switch engageable. and

brought into circuit changing ad ustment by said switch controllingelement according to the position of. said rod; a carrier for saidswitch and pressed upon-by said .spring at the other s ring end; and 1abearing sleeve for'said ro sald carrier and'bearing sleeve being formedto have holding engagement upon relative movement of the rod and carriertransversely of the rod.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

WILLIAM SCHMID.

